Combined rheostat and reversing-switch



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J. P..B.. P-ISKE & C. P. SMITH. GUMBINED RHBOSTATAND REVBRSING sWTGH.

No. 574,896. l Patented Jan. 12, 1.897.

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J. P. B. FISKE Sv C. P. SMITH. COMBINED RHEOSTAT AND RBVERSING SWITCH.

Patented Jan. 12, 1.897;

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J. P. B. PISKB 85,0. P. SMITH.

GOMBINBD RHEOSTAT AND RBVBRSING SWITCH.

N0. 574,896. Patented Jan. 12, 1897.

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-J. P. B. PISKE 8; C. P. SMITH. COMBINED RHEOSTAT AND RBVBRSING SWITCH.

Nu. 574,896. Patented Jan. 12, 1897.

ATH/6MM y @uam www@ (No Modl.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6. J. P. B. PISKE 8L C. P. SMITH. COMBINED RHESTAT AND REVBRSING SWITCH.

Patented Jan. 12,v v1897,

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Unirse STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JONATHAN P. l. FISKE AND CHARLES P. SMITH, OF ALLlANOE,. OHIO.

COMBINED RHEOSTAT AND REVERSlNG-SWITCH.

SPECFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 574,896, dated January 12, 1897.

Application filed March 18, 1895. Serial No. 542,181. (No model To all who/1t t may concern.-

Be it known that we, JONATHAN P. B. FIsKE and CHARLES P. SMITH, citizens of the United States, and residents of Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Rheostat and Reversing-Switch, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the same.

The invention which 'forms the subject of our present applica-tion for Letters Patent is an improvement in apparatus for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of electric motors, and although it is capable ot' and adapted for use generally where it is necessary or desirable to vary the resistance or change the direction of current in a circuit, or a portion thereof, it is particularly designed for the purpose ol' controlling motors used for propelling vehicles or raisingand lowering loads, such as elevators or weights generally.

The devices ofthe class to which the invention pertains are commonly known as controllers. Our improvements are more especially applicable to devices of this general class in which the movement of a lever or handle in either direction from a normal position of no current operates to first include, by a suitable mechanism, all of the resistancecoils oi a rheostat in the circuit, so that before the full current can be directed to the translating device or motor the entire series oi' resistance-coils must be gradually cut out or short-circuited, while at the same time the direction of current to or through said translating device corresponds to the direction of movement of the said handle.

Our device possesses the general advantage of having only one set of resistance-coils and contact-plates, which are utilized both in making and breaking the circuit without regard to the direction of the current.

The invention resides in the mechanical construction and arrangement of a device of this character, and its distinguishing features will be summarized in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings which illustrate the construction and mode of operation of our improved controller, Figure l is a side view with a portion of the outer case removed. Fig. 2 is a rear view in elevation of the' saine, a portion of the frame or casin g being removed. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the front side of the instrument. Fig. 4 is a face view of the contact-arm employed in the device. Fig. 5 is an end View of the same. Fig. G is a cen tral sectional view of the contact-arm and a portion of its driving-shaft. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 8 on the broken line c d. c l) a of said ligure. Fig. S is an enlarged plan view of the resistance-coils and other partis in the interior of the instrument, a portion of an insulating-base and parts attached thereto being exhibited. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the circuit connections and plan of arrangement of several important parts ol' the apparatus. Fig. l0 is a similar view showing the same parts in aditferent position or relation. Fig. ll is a central vertical section of the reversing-switch and operating mechanism of the instrument shown in Fig. 3.

The diii'erent parts of the several vfigures are correspondingly numbered to aid in an understanding of the saine.

The instrument as a whole comprises a resistance or series of resistance coils connected to a proper switch for varying the amount of said resistance included in the circuit, as may be required, for example, in varying the speed of a motor, and of a reversing-switch for governing the direction of current and consequent direction of rotation'. These elements are contained in or mounted upon a suitable casing. With them are associated the operating devices hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. l, 2, and 3 the numerals l 2 designate two substantially similar metal frames forming, when assembled, casing for the controller. Frame l carries on its outer face the mechanism for reversing the current, the terminal blocks therefor being mounted on a base of insulating` material 24. Frame 2 carries another insulating-base 3, to which are attached the terminal or contact plates of the resistance-coils and over which sweeps the contact-arm for varying such resistance. The resistance-coils are contained within the casing formedV by the two frames. On the base of the instrument is pivotally mounted a segment-gear25,carrying a handle IOC 27 and a stud or pin 29, Fig. 11, projecting inwardly or toward the instrument. The gear 25 meshes with a pinion 15 en a shaft 14, mounted concentrieally with the terminal er contact plates of the instrument.

Referring now to Fig. 1l, it will be seen that the hub 0l. forms a part of the frame, and on this is mounted a sleeve 1.6,havinga ilange G2. Bolted te this flange is the insulating-support 1.7,carrying eight double switch-arms 1S, each opposite pair of arms being secured together and to Ithe insulating-support by rivets. These arms are made et resilient metal, and as the insulating-support is turned each pair embraces its appropriate terminal, thus insuring a goed electrical connection.

The insulaiing-support 17 is turned bythe following means: The stud 29 carries a roller 2S, which werks in a forked extension of the sleeve 1t, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. These parts are se related that when the handle and segment-gear are turned the fork will be engaged and turned sui'liciently by the roller, which then drops er passes beyond the fork in the remainder of its path of travel. When it returns, .it will .recngage with the fork and will move it te the opposite extreme after passing the center, where it will again disengage itself, as on the opposite side. By this means the switch is set in either of its two positions according to the direction in which the handle is turned from its central position. The curved ends or stops el:l the segment-gear limit the movement of rotation of the shaft 141- and the handle or lever 27 by striking against the pinion 15.

On the plate 2i are eight terminal blocks 1019, 2O 20, 21, 22, and 23, each bleek having a projecting lip UO, Fig. 11, which makes contact with the switch-arms 18 when the latter are turned. The said blocks 1S) Q0, rbc., are all counterparts and are secured at equidistant peints, so that when the support 17 is turned to its extreme position in either directien the switch-arms 18 will be connected together in four sets.

Describing new the details ofthe resistance, this is divided .into two separate parts, (see Fig. 8,) which lie en opposite sides of a vertical line through the center of the axis 11-. The resisting material is in the form of a mctallic ribben 3S, folded back and forth upon itself, adjacent laps er folds being separated by insulating-st-rij )s 52. This ribbon is divided into a number of sections, as shown in Fig. S, which number is arbitrary, and between these sections are placed metallic dividing er spacing blocks 53, tapered er wedge shape in l'erm, as shown. rlhe sections of folded ribbon are placed se that the ribbons rest on their edges, that is te say, with the convolution in vertical planes. A resistance built up into circular ferm by two nearly semicircular series of ribbensections and spacing-clocks is secured in position by means et proper skeleton frames. The resistance is here shown as arranged radially, but any other i'orm giving a curved outline may be used. 'Where large carrying capacity is rcquircd, two or more of these circular struc tures er resistanccs are clamped together, as shown in Fig. 7, and resistanccs of: this vform are diagrammatieally illustrated in Figs. il and 10.

The frames that clamp or bind the resist ances together consist ol outer rings 30 3l 2.32, connected by arms er spokes to central. hubs and provided with laterallyextending lugs or teeth -l. By the use of these skeleton Aframes with teeth spaces for the circulation et' air are provided, thus greatly improving the heatradiating capacity el the instrument, and therefore increasing the current-carrying eapacity of the resistance. The paths for the circulation of the air are indicated by the arrows in Fig. 7.

1n order to prevent the metallic skeleton frames from coming in con tact with the rcsistance-ribbein, strips -il ci insulation are employed both between the resistance-strips and the hubs et' the rings and extending ra diallyat the ends et' the resistance, z shown in Fig. 8. Curved strips el insulation t0 are also interposed between the resistance and the inner rows of teeth el. the skeleton frames and similar strips 3) between the resistance and the outer rows of teeth. Thus wh ilo the resistance coils er ribben are firmly secured by the frames they are perfectly insulated therefrom and passages provided for the free. circulation of air.

In order to still further bind the parts ol` thc resistance securely, especiallyradially, we use the binding-bands one .foreach circular se ries of resistances. These bands are el metal and are insulated from the resistances by strips of insulation lying under the metal. bands. These latter are tightened by turnbucklcs 3U 37, as shown .in Fig. S. Any suitable material may be employed for the insulation of the resistance, as above described.

The skeleton frames and resistances are sccurely bound together by belts passing through the fermer and provided with nuts. The resistance-ribbons with these connections may thus be handled as one unit.

The circuit connections of the resistancesections are secured by the following devices: The spaciiilg-blocks 523 have attached to them or cast integral with them bolts 233, which extend rearwardly through. the base er plaie l and through terminal or contact plates l,a1'- ranged in a circular series on said plate and secured thereto by nuts. vThe plates ft may also be secured to the plate 3 by belts or otherwise. The bars er bolts 325 connect cach spacing-block with its correspondingly-located centactsplate et, and by thus locating the contact-plates directly in iront el the peints in the resistance te which it is desired to eleetricallyconnect said terminals and employing the means described for securing such eennectiens all objectionable and uncertain. wiring, with its attendant liability et' short- IOO IIO

circuiting, fusing of connections, and derangement, is entirely avoided.

The end spacing-blocks of each half of the resistance have bolts 48 5G, extending both to the front and to the rear, as-showu in Fig. 7, and to the ends 56 are connected the wires 42 for maintaining the necessary circuit connections.

The circular series of contact-plates 4 include a certain number of dead-plates 5, opposite the space or part of the resistanceframe containing no ribbon-sections or resistance. These deadplates are put in simply to provide a bearing for the contact-brush as it passes over the dead-space of the switch and are not electrically connected with any part of the circuit.

The contact-arm 7 for the resistance contact-plates is mounted on the shaft 14, being insulated therefrom by a bushing 12. In order to impart the motion of the shaft to the arm, a hub 13 is keyed to shaft 14 and connected with arm 7 by insulating-pins 9. The contact-arm carries a brush or shoe at each end, which sweep over the series of contact-plates 4. The brush or shoe which we employ is of special construction and designed to obviate the objections to which ordinary springbrushes are subject, the chief of which are due to wear and to the annealing of the tension-springs- The shoe which we have devised is composed of two or more levers or toes 10, pivoted in two opposite sets to the arm 7 and overlapping or interlocking, the pivotal supports of the two sets being 57 and 58. Each toe is substantially IVF-shaped, with the pivot as the junction of the two limbs, the short limb extending upward, as shown in Fig. 5. Spiral springs 11 connect the upper ends of the short arms 59 of each two interlocking or overlapping toes, thus forcing the free ends against the contact-plates. XVe prefer to use two sets of toes for each shoe or contact-brush- Itis customary in arranging contact-sprin gs to have them connect the movable toe with the frame of the shoe, but in such cases there are two paths formed for the passage of the current from the toe to the frame, one through the pivotal support for the toe, the other through the sprin Thus when the pivot becomes worn or becomes fouled and so makes poor Contact a large portion of the current passes by way of the spring, thereby annealing it, so as to render it ineffectual in maintaining a good contact between the toe and the terminal plates. In our device, however, each spring is located between two toes, and there is therefore no tendency for current to pass through said spring.

The casing of 'the instrument is provided with openings covered by wire screens, as shown in Fig. 1, which permits the escape of heated air.

The resistance, as above explained, may be single, or two or more sets of resistances may be combined together in the same instrument reached the position indicated by j 7c.

when greater carrying capacity is required. In this case the arrangement of the resistances will be as shown in Fig. 7, one directly behind the other, and the contact-bolts 33 will connect with the corresponding wedges of each set, as shown diagrammatically in Figs. 9 and 10.

The connections and mode of operation of the instrument will be explained by reference to Figs. 9 and 10, which show the electrical connections of the controller to the source of current supply, to the translating device, which is shown as a motor, and to a solenoid for operating a brake on said motor. L+ and L represent the two line-wires. The motorarmature is designated by 50, the serieswound iield-coil of the motor by 47, the coils of the solenoid-brake by 45, the armature of the same by 44, the brake-band by 46, and the anchor for the band by 5l. This band passes around a brake-wheel or disk keyed to the shaft of the motor.

In Fig. 9 the reversing-switch has been turned from right to left or anticlockwise, and the resistance-switch arm has been rotated in a like direction from its central position, (indicated in dotted lines and marked h t.) As this arm is thus rotated it first makes contact with the resistance when it has In this position the current passes as follows: L-lto 22, to 23h, to 43, through all the upper resistance 63 to 43h, thence by two paths (one by arm j 7c and the other 19n to 18, to 23, to 43d) to 43, thence through all the lower resistance 64 to 43, thence to 19h, to 1S", to 20h, through the armature 50 to 20, to 21, to 47, to L This we will assume produces a rotation of the motor armature anticlockwise, such rotation being very slow, as all of the resistance is inserted. As the switch-arm is turned farther, it connects across from the upper contacts to the lower, thereby short-circuiting more or less resistance until it'reaches the position indicated by f g, where all the resistance is shortcircuited and the motor therefore ruiming at full speed. lt will thus be seen that the function of the contact-arm is simply to short-circuit more or less of the resistance in circuit, and to thereby regulate the speed of the motor.

Considering now the solenoid-circuit, it will be seen that the full difference of the potential of the line is at this time supplied to it, thus; L-ito 22, to 23h, to 45, to 49,to L The solenoid is therefore energized to its fullest extent and entirely releases the brake and allows the motor to revolve freely. Then this apparatus is used for hoisting purposes, connections to the load are so made that when the solenoid is thus fully energized and the motor free to revolve unobstructed the load isI being lifted, under which conditions no brake is desired. \Vhen it is desired to stop the motor, the lever 27 is turned to its cen tral position, in which case the switch-arm resumes its central position h t' and the reversing-switch its central position, as shown lOO IIO

ii tsr/reco bythe dotted line. The latter in reaching this position, it will be noted, breaks the circuit at eight points, that is to say, at the blocks i9, 19", 20, 20", 2l, 22, 223, and 22V. These breaks taking place simultaneously as the arms 1S leave their respective blocks, the voltage is thereby divided at eight points and the are in consequence prevented from destructive burning oi the blocks.

lVhen it is desired to reverse the motor and regulate its speed in the opposite direction, the switches are turned to the right or clockwise and their positions are indicated in Fig. l0. llere it will be noted that the current ilows through the armature ol.' the motor in a direction opposite to that which it followed in Fig. D and that the connections oi the resistance have been changed. Thus L-lis connected to lf3 in Fig. (land to 43d in Fig. l0. This 'is made necessary by reason ol:l the fact that the direction of rotation of the contactarm is reversed and that it is necessary in each case that the terminal oil the line L- shall always be connected to that resistance contact-plate which .is reached last by the contact-arm in its travel over the series of resistance contact-plates, so that the resistance at iii-st is allincluded in circuit and gradually cut out as the contact-arm approaches the last resistance eoi'itact-plate. lt will be no-q ticed that while the contact i3 is first reached by the shoe when the arm is rotated. clockwise, as in Fig. l0, it is reached last by the shoe under the conditions illustrated in Fig. t). From this the necessity et' reversing or changing the connection -if will be understood.

It will now be seen from the above description and by reference to Figs. tl and l0 that the whole series of contact-plates and resistance-coils are utilized in whatever direction the contact-arm is turned, and that the two portions ot the series of resistances are connected Ain series and are bridged by the contact-arm. lly this arrangement the duplicate sets of contacts usually employed in devices of this kind, but of which only one set is utilized i'or a given movement of the contactarm, are obviated. This is a valuable Ateature, as the use of duplicate sets of contacts involves many disadvantages, among others additional cost,extra space, and extra wiring, or else a reduced number oi' contacts, which is in itselit' objectionable, since the greater the number oi' contacts the less the tendency to spark and burn.

Referring to the brake connections in Fig. lO, it will be understood that in this case it may be desired tohave the brake more or less in action in lowering the load,depeinling upon the desired rapidity oi lowering, the amount ot' load, and other conditions. lVhcn it is desired to lower slowly, the contact-arm is turned into the position n p in Fig. l0, in which all the resistance Vis :in circuit with the motor and only a portion oi the full potential is applied to the solenoid, thereby causing the brake to be lifted only pzirtially. This will be seen by tracing out the solenoid-circuit as follows: 1li-t to 23, to tlil, thence through the lower resistance G-.t to -l-l". ln passing through this resist-ance approximately onehalf et' tbepotential has been used up, and as the solenoid-current then l'lows from 13" to 19, to 18h, to 23h, to l5, to 4:9, to irit will be seen that only halt oi' the iull potential is brought to bear on the solenoid, thus only partially releasin the brake.

lf it be desired to operate at a higher speed, the arm is turned still further, clockwise, thereby cutting out some of the resistance and so increasing the motor speed, and since less of the potential is now used up inv the lower resistance more potential is lel't l'or the solenoid, thus energizing it to a greater degree and easing the work correspoiulingly. This eilieet may be increased until the arm reaches the position Zin, in which all resistance is cut out et' the armature-cireiiit and nearly i'ull potential is on the solenoid. As te the latter, it is to be noted that while the lower resistance is still :in series with thesolenoid the current passing through said resistance is so small (being now only the shuntwound-solenoid current) that the l'all ot' potential over said resistance is very slight, or, considering the matter in another way, the resistance ot the solenoid is so high in comparison with that ot the resistancc-coil that the latter is practically negligible.

lVhat we claim as our invention isi. In a rheostat or resistance, the combination with sections composed oi. a condntdor of high resistance with interposed wedgeshaped spacing-blocks electrically coinlceted to the resistance, all being associated and secured in circular form, ot' a plate or base sceured over the resistance, a series ol' contactplates thereon in positions correslmnding to the spacing-blocks and bolts electrically connecting the spacing-blocks with their respective contact-plates, as set l'orth.

2. In a rheostat or resistance, the combination with sections composed oi' a metallic rihbon folded upon itself `with .insulziting material interposed between the i'olds, ot wedgeshaped spacing-blocks .ii'lterposed between the sections ol' ribbon and lin clectri 'al connection therewith, the whole being;l arranged and secured in circular i'orm, a plate secured to the circular resistance, a series ot' contactplates thereon in positions corresponding to the spacing-blocks and bolts passing through the plates and electrically connecting the said contact-plates with the slniciilg-blocks respectively, as set l'erth.

3. In a rheostat or resistance, the combination with one or more circularly-arrz'ingcd se ries oi resistances, of skeleton trames haring laterally-projecting lugs or teeth and insulated trom the resistances and bolts for binding together the skeleton frames and clamping the interposed resistances, as set forth.

Ll. rl`he combination with a variable resist- ICC IlO

ance or rheostat, of a reversing-switch consistino ofan insulated support having contact-arms, a sleeve upon which the support is mounted, a forked extension from said sleeve, a pivoted lever having a projection for engagging with the forked extension, and stationary terminals engaged by the contactarms when the disk is moved bythe engagement therewith of the projection when the lever is turned, as set forth.

5. The combination with the casing oomposed of two substantially similar halves or sections and provided with openings for the escape of heated air, of a resistance contained within the casing, a reversing-switch secured to the face of one half or section of the casing and a resistance-switch secured to the face of the other, as set forth.

6. The combination with the series of resistance-coils and contact-plates divided into two parts, a centrally-pivoted contact-lever, the ends of which travel over the plates of the two parts respectively, a reversing-switch and electrical connections whereby the operation of the reversing-switch connects the ter- CIK minals of the line and translating devices respectively with the contact-plates of the two parts of the series of resistance-coils that are the last to be encountered by the contact-arm in its movement over said plates, as set forth.

7. The combination with the reversingswitch and lever for operating` or throwing the same, of a segment-gear with curved ends or stops, moved bythe'lever and a rheostat or variable resistance in gear therewith, as set forth.

8. The combination with the pivoted lever, the shaft and pinion, a reversingswitch mounted loosely in respect to said shaft, a segment-gear carried by the lever and engaging with the pinion, and a projection on the lever in position to engage with a part moving with the reversing-switch whereby a movement of the said lever turns the shaft and throws the reversing-switch, as set forth.

JONATHAN P. B. FISKE. CHARLES P. SMITH. lVitnesses:

II. W. HARRIs, ALicE FORDING. 

